She is Louise Fazenda, silent film comedienne, whose film career began in 1913 when she was a high school student. Her Big Break arrived when she was hired by Mack Sennett (“The King of Comedy”) at Keystone Studios.
She appeared in almost 300 movies – and worked at every major studio – specializing in non-glamorous roles. In one film, she played the mother of Mack Sennett’s character when she was 17 years old; Sennett himself would have been in his early 30s.
It is famously said that whenever superstar Mabel Normand needled Sennett about making “classier” films, he would threaten her with, “I’ll send for Fazenda.”
Fazenda was funny and popular, and she would (and could) do anything for a laugh. Her lowbrow look, they say, inspired comediennes Judy Canova, Minnie Pearl, and Carol Burnett.
Here’s Fazenda in action. Look at this gag from Hearts and Flowers (1919):
Isn’t she wonderful? She’s in her prime, and knows it, working with some of the best comedians in the Biz.
In Hearts and Flowers, Fazenda’s character is seduced by Ford Sterling who mistakenly believes she’s the heir to a $2,000,000 fortune. It’s a quirky movie with the usual Keystone slapstick and some very funny lines. Fazenda, however, is the best part of it.
Let’s look in on her in an early Keystone feature-length film, Down on the Farm (1920). Here she’s a shrewd farm girl who must Tread Carefully when it comes to the amorous mortgage lender:
Fazenda was born in Indiana to a father of Portuguese, French, and Italian descent, and a mother of German ancestry. When Fazenda was a child, the family moved to California where they opened a grocery store.
Before becoming a Movie Star, Fazenda helped support her family by working odd jobs – one of which was delivering groceries in a horse-drawn wagon.
She married a Noel Smith in 1917, whom she divorced in 1926. The following year, she married Warner Bros. producer Hal B. Wallis (he produced Casablanca, among other legendary films). Her movie career began to slow down, although she continued her screen appearances until 1939.
She and Wallis remained married until her death in 1962.
Fazenda marries Hal B. Wallis on Thanksgiving Day, 1927. Image: Beguiling Hollywood
The main reason Louise Fazenda is our hero is her philanthropy.
According to Bizarre Los Angeles, many stories of her Good Deeds surfaced after her death. Fazenda once learned of a five year-old girl who was hospitalized after a car accident that had killed the girl’s mother. Fazenda paid all the girl’s expenses.
Fazenda also Picked up the Tab when she heard of a law student dropping out of school because his wife was pregnant and the couple couldn’t afford a baby and a law degree.
“She used to go out to UCLA Medical Center, where she’d feed the young children, rock them and sing them to sleep,” a friend said. “More than once a doctor left the instruction: ‘Let the child spend some time with Louise Fazenda.’”
Los Angeles Times obituary
Fazenda didn’t seek publicity for her humanitarianism, even when she Took In two children during the Second World War. Her obituary says she’d “fend off the testimonials to her philanthropy which she shunned as long as she lived.”
Her generosity and kindheartedness made a real difference to people who needed it.
It was very unfortunate that Mack Sennett had to make Louise look strange and adopt a peculiar walk. Her performances as older women demonstrated her range, which she used to good effect, but only after she departed Sennett Comedies.
She’s remarkable, isnt she? Even in the two brief gifs you get a sense of her charm and comedic timing. And then there’s all her humanitarian work. She’s Hero Material indeed.
Down on the Farm is a very nice movie, and it also has the always amusing Ben Turpin!
I didn’t know about Fazenda’s philanthropy until now. How wonderful! She was a talented actress and a great human being, and I’m glad about it.
Thanks for taking part in the blogathon!
Kisses!
What a marvelous tribute to Louise Fazenda!
I must admit that, like I did with George O’Brien, I discovered Louise’s career backward heading toward her silent era work. Nonetheless, we’re lucky we have her performing and humanitarian legacy to appreciate.
I agree. We are lucky to have both qualities to appreciate in Louse F. She is so funny in her Keystone silents, and her philanthropy is truly inspiring.
What a beautiful read. I’ve never heard of her until now either. I wish that wasn’t the case. You’ve enlightened me again, and boy, do I ever appreciate it.
What an amazing and generous woman! I love these photos and clips (and her philanthropy too). I’ll have to find some of these movies and give them a watch.
I hadn’t heard of Louise Fazenda until I read your post, I’m now intrigued that she played the mother of a man in his 30s when she was only 17! She sounds like a talented performer and more importantly a decent, modest person. A lot of today’s so-called stars could take a leaf out of her book.
Hello Silver Screenings! I know this question is not related to your post. But I was wondering if you were planning on hosting the Great Villain Blogathon this year?
Lovely story of a talented and generous person. We often think of philanthropy in terms of the dollars spent, but what I liked about the examples you showed were the little things she did that mean so much.
Silver Screenings 
A fine person and a very in-demand actress. And I have to admit that I’d never heard of her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trying to change that (her relative obscurity) in my own small way. Louise F. is a real treat to watch on the screen
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was very unfortunate that Mack Sennett had to make Louise look strange and adopt a peculiar walk. Her performances as older women demonstrated her range, which she used to good effect, but only after she departed Sennett Comedies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunate, indeed, but her charm remains intact. She’s good “gif” material, wouldn’t you say?
LikeLike
What a sweet story. In my opinion, comedy is hard to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. I think comedy is difficult, and not everyone can do it. A person needs good timing and real skill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had heard of her but didn’t know anything about her. Thank you for this wonderful introduction!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s remarkable, isnt she? Even in the two brief gifs you get a sense of her charm and comedic timing. And then there’s all her humanitarian work. She’s Hero Material indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Down on the Farm is a very nice movie, and it also has the always amusing Ben Turpin!
I didn’t know about Fazenda’s philanthropy until now. How wonderful! She was a talented actress and a great human being, and I’m glad about it.
Thanks for taking part in the blogathon!
Kisses!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This film changed my mind about Ben Turpin. I was never a fan until I saw this film.
So glad you and Beth have brought back this blogathon for a second year. I’m looking forward to reading all the entries tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always to great to find out about these people who should be more well-known, especially for their philanthropy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isnt it, though? Louise F. spent a lot of time helping folks and never promoted it. It helps restore faith in humanity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keanu Reeves is apparently the same. Such a great guy:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for posting this. It really is inspiring!
We need that more than ever now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought so, too, Debbi. I was thrilled to learn about Louise F’s philanthropy.
LikeLike
What a marvelous tribute to Louise Fazenda!
I must admit that, like I did with George O’Brien, I discovered Louise’s career backward heading toward her silent era work. Nonetheless, we’re lucky we have her performing and humanitarian legacy to appreciate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. We are lucky to have both qualities to appreciate in Louse F. She is so funny in her Keystone silents, and her philanthropy is truly inspiring.
LikeLike
She sounds like a lovely woman, thanks for giving her another well deserved shot in the limelight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! If you’re ever feeling low, I recommend watching one of her silent short films. It’s good tonic! 😉
LikeLike
Thanks. Will definitely check her out..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Btw are you doing the Villains blogathon this year.. ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, I won’t be, but I’m not sure if Kristina and Karen will be continuing. I’m not able to do any hosting for a while. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope it’s for a happy reason – you were hostess for my first blogathon and I’ll always appreciate your support every time I’ve entered one of yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thanks Gill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful read. I’ve never heard of her until now either. I wish that wasn’t the case. You’ve enlightened me again, and boy, do I ever appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yeah, I just learned about her in the past few months, so I’m late to the party too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing and generous woman! I love these photos and clips (and her philanthropy too). I’ll have to find some of these movies and give them a watch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is so fun to watch – and she’s a bit of a scene-stealer too. But it’s her philanthropy that is quite inspiring.
P.S. Have you made the Big Move yet? If so, did all go well?
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 15 is our move date! 🙂 I’m sure it will have its challenges but it will be worth it when get that house all set up and make it our own.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t heard of Louise Fazenda until I read your post, I’m now intrigued that she played the mother of a man in his 30s when she was only 17! She sounds like a talented performer and more importantly a decent, modest person. A lot of today’s so-called stars could take a leaf out of her book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing, isnt it? A 17 year-old girl playing Mack Sennett’s mother. She really seemed remarkable in so many ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had never heard of Louise Fazenda! It was especially interesting to read about her philanthropic endeavors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are a lot of stories about her generosity, especially with hospitalized kids.
LikeLike
Hello Silver Screenings! I know this question is not related to your post. But I was wondering if you were planning on hosting the Great Villain Blogathon this year?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there! I’m unable to do any hosting this year, sadly, but I should ask my Partners-in-Crime if they plan to go ahead with it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for letting me know. Will definitely ask them.
LikeLike
I have never heard of Louise before but wow is she beautiful! I can’t imagine making almost 300 movies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was really busy and very funny. If you’re able to check out some of her short comedies on YouTube, it’s well worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story of a talented and generous person. We often think of philanthropy in terms of the dollars spent, but what I liked about the examples you showed were the little things she did that mean so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point! We do think of dollars spent, and not so much about the time spent, which is something people often remember more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a very interesting blog. Thank you for putting all this together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll drop by your neighbourhood soon for a visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person